staffnews
Mrs Karen Barnacle (Psychology) Mrs Amanda Jones Around 15 years ago, my husband and I suffered a ‘folie à deux’ having watched one too many episodes of Escape to the Country and decided to start a new life in Yorkshire. When Bablake interviewed for someone to teach Psychology and some science, one person stood out, not just for the vibrancy of her red suit amongst the greys and blacks, but also for the vibrancy of her personality. Karen was duly offered the post for September 2002, and, when she came in for a chat, I remember thinking what a shame that I could not work with her. Well, my husband and I came to our senses and returned to the Midlands, and at that time Karen was diagnosed with a serious heart condition requiring surgery. I was available to cover for her for a few weeks and, by that time, the numbers opting for Psychology had increased such that we were able to start working together that September. Over the years, Karen has been a staunch advocate of Psychology as an A level subject, responsible for it being made a separate subject, not just an offshoot of Biology, and for it having a Head of Department which Karen was for many years. She has, usually gently but sometimes strongly, challenged and put right stereotypical views of Psychology as an easy subject simply because it is interesting and popular. She has been an engaging classroom teacher, bringing not just a deep subject knowledge, but also a wealth of life experience and stories, from previous careers in nursing, including in a prison, sexual health counselling, sales and further education. Karen has inspired many students to continue with their Psychology studies at university and beyond. She has also been a caring and effective Sixth Form tutor and offered outstanding support to potential medics, with both their applications and preparation, when she led our Medical Extension group. Karen reads voraciously and is passionately interested in a wide range of subjects from politics, the environment, animal rights and Andy Murray. Conversations with her are never boring, and she is always willing to offer advice and support to colleagues, several of whom have told me how much they have appreciated talking with her over the years. So, 15 years later, our professional partnership has come to an end. In that time, I like to think it has been a mutually supportive department, sharing a fascination for our subject, a desire to do the best for our students, and a lot of laughter.
Mr Julian Bunce (Classics) Mrs Alison Tumber It was a privilege for me to be able to say a few words about JMB — please note, not JGB, JMG or any other variation. The Chair of Common Room decreed poems and songs were banned as valedictory addresses, which was a shame as what would have been a more fitting send off for a phenomenal Classics teacher than an epic 15,693 line poem in the style of Homer’s Iliad? Music is Julian’s great passion, so a song would also have been appropriate if I could have chosen a genre; he has such eclectic tastes: Italian opera, barbershop, reggae, ELO, Paul Simon, Panic at the Disco, the list goes on. In 1973, Julian went up to Christ’s Church College, Cambridge to read Classics, the days when you could gain a place with 7 O levels, and, as long as you had an A at A level for Latin and B in Greek, the C in Ancient History and E in History were of no consequence! An admin assistant role at Dartford Borough Museum kept him occupied for a year before returning to Cambridge for his PGCE in Classics with English as subsidiary. Julian has taught Latin, Greek, Classics, Classical Civilisation, English, Religious Studies, Social Studies, PSHCE, EPQ, Ancient History, History (that E grade at A level didn’t hold him back!) and ICT. He was also an examiner, choirmaster, organist and a qualified hockey and cricket coach — a sporting musician, so I can still dream of Mr Wilson popping up in our flute ensemble. He joined Bablake in September 2006 after covering staff illness earlier that year. The foundations of a firm friendship were laid on the coach to Chedworth on Trips Day later that year where we had a great time chatting about his family — wife Jane, whom I’ve had the pleasure to work alongside the past two years, and children Michael, Rachel and Helen, of whom he is justifiably very proud. I learnt about his adventures in Rome as teacher of English, Latin and Social Studies at Marymount International School. He passed his love for Italy and all things Classical onto many colleagues and students on the October Classics trips to Italy, Sicily, Greece and Turkey — my son James collected the full set and they remain, as they do for many pupils, highlights of his time at Bablake. Julian was also le Fousseau co-ordinator and has led visits to slightly less glamorous, but notably classical UK destinations. Julian has made such a great contribution to Bablake as a musician — as a fine tenor in our Chamber Choir, duetting with Dr Smith on Leavers’ Day, charity carol singing in the EDM, on stage at ‘Night at the Oscars’ and forming a Barber Shop Quartet with my daughter Sophie and her musical buddies, Alex and Millie. If that extra mile was not far enough, Julian @TheWheatleyan / www.bablake.com / @bablakeschool
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